Song of the Week: Damn These Vampires-The Mountain Goats

The Song: Damn These Vampires

Why it's the song of the week: John Darnielle is a lyrical master, of that we can be sure and Damn These Vampires is a fine example of that.There is a lot to be said about his lyrics, much more than can be said here but Darnielle is definitely a writer who "writes about things" whether it's a disintegrating relationship in "Tallahassee" or  drug addiction in "We Shall All Be Healed". However, Damn These Vampires, while likely metaphorical, is a song I'm hesitant to discuss in this way. Darnielle is probably writing about something other than mere vampires but I also feel that he's the kind of writer that might just write a song that is just about vampires. As such, take it as you will but give this song a listen.

Best lyric:
Feast like pagans 
Never get enough
Sleep like dead men
Wake up like dead men
And when the sun comes
Try not to hate the light
Someday we'll try
To walk upright
 
Bottom Line: The whole of The Mountain Goats discography deserves a listen but "Damn, These Vampires"  is a good a place as any to start.

Song of the Week: Robyn "Dancing on my Own"

The Song:

Why it's the Song of the Week:Well, let's just be honest, there are just so many things to love about this song and the video from the overly dramatic bridge to the high-waisted skirt (and jeans!) that Robyn dons for the video. The video looks like a combination of an 80's music video and an 80's work out video. Seriously, Robyn's dancing looks like it should be in a karate inspired exercise video and well, the club arts are basically Robyn looking depressed while people do some hilarious dancing around her. Robyn is just so pretty and her voice is so sweet, and at least 90 percent of her songs are about rejection and yet, you don't get the impression that she's the kind of woman to whine and cry and be pushed around, maybe because the majority of the video is her punching the air. Still,  since it's appearance on Girls last season  Dancing on my Own has solidified it's place as an anthem for girls who are occasionally (or frequently) a hot mess both on the dance floor and when it comes to love. The song itself has the kind of brutal honesty you don't really want in a pop song, but Robyn also makes it clear that while she may be dancing on her own she's also laughing at herself.

Best lyrics: "there's a big black sky over my town/ I know where you at I bet she's around"

Bottom Line: Robyn says it herself when she says "yeah, I know it's stupid", and certainly there are some stupid things about this song but it's also ridiculously catchy and so well produced  that honestly, if loving Robyn is wrong...I don't want to be right!

Taylor Swift-I Knew You Were Trouble

Well guys, I am about to write something I thought I'd never write--I really like a Taylor Swift song and I even like the video. She looks great as this white trash character, or, at least it's a huge relief to see her as something else than her normal, twee persona, right? And the song is a catchy pop song, and if we forget everything we know about Taylor Swift's extremely irritating personal life the protagonist is likable. Here's the video:

The only bad thing I have to say about this video is-WHY IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT IS GOOD DID SHE ADD THAT SPOKEN WORD PART IN THE BEGININNG? WHY? It's totally unneccessary and honestly, it makes her look a bit like an idiot. I say this begrudgingly, but I actually think Taylor Swift has the capacity to be a great artist but she has to stop undermining herself and insulting her audience with things like the introduction to this song. The lyrics are pop lyrics but they really say everythinng they need to say. They don't need to be explained.

Two Songs For This Week-Part 2

I must say, the title is a bit ironical today because our first song is Jaden Smith's "The Coolest". Here's the video:

Sure, I could talk about nepotism and how this song is a 14 year-old talking about all the girls he brings home, but I really just want to talk about how freaking hilarious this song is. Sure, he might have lots of money but what Jaden Smith also has is monotone. Halfway through I was about to turn it off but then I would have missed this line: "I'd rather swallow throw up 'cause I'm chillin' with my girl". I mean, I don't even know what to say to that, except I thank the music industry for this because I was kind of grumpy but now I am laughing hysterically. 

Next is "Long Vows" from the latest Band of Horses album "Mirage Rock". I'm not a huge Band of Horses fan (minus, Is There A Ghost, of course) but I have to say I'm impressed with this album as a whole. "Knock, Knock" is a great first single and the rest of the album is a good mix of alternative, country and heartbreak.

Here is the acoustic version but you can listen to the whole album, HERE

25 Sad Songs

I love sad songs and since I have been sick all week, I think it's time for a sad song playlist-some cheesy, some not, but all good for a sad day.

1.) Run-Leona Lewis

2.) I Will Internalize-Martha Wainwright

3.) Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want-The Smiths

4.) Please Don't Leave Me-Pink

5.) Railroad Boy-The Magnetic Fields

6.)Ya No-La Bien Querida

7.) Las De La Intuición-Shakira

8.) The Art of Kissing-Ballboy

9.) Segundo Premio-Los Planetas

10.) The Winner Takes It All-ABBA

11.)The Bleeding Heart Show-The New Pornographers

12.) Walk Away Renee- Four Tops

13.) Jesus etc.-Wilco

14.) No Children- The Mountain Goats

15.) A Girl in Port- Okkervil River

16.) Judy and The Dream of Horses-Belle and Sebastian

17.) Seven Devils-Florence and The Machine

18.)Tears Dry On Their Own-Amy Winehouse

19.) Go Your Own Way-Fleetwood Mac

20.) I Can't Let Go-Evie Sands

21.) Hallelujah- Rufus Wainwright

22.)He Vuelto-Astrud

23.) Someone Like You-Adele

24.)River-Joni Mitchell

25.) Hope There's Someone-Antony and The Johnsons

Single Review-Taylor Swift "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together"

Every time Taylor Swift comes out with a new single I feel a fresh wave of outraged feminism and yet I can never put my finger on what exactly bothers me. Her writing is juvenile, sure, but Beyoncé's "Best Thing I Never Had" contains the line "you showed your ass and I saw the real you" and yet, that is one of my favourite songs of this year. Perhaps it's the fact that Taylor Swift will date virtually any man that crosses her path, inevitably get dumped by him, write a passive aggressive song about their break up and then go flower picking in in a twee outfit and look longingly at the paparazzi cameras. She is the epitome of a woman who can't be single and thinks she's better than other girls (because she wears sneakers not high heels!). But let's discuss the song.

Musically it is pretty Taylor Swift fare and I'll give it to her the chorus is catchy, if not particularly witty, but the rest of the song is, lyrically, cringe-worthy. There is even a spoken word part that is not only totally unnecessary but is so mock-able that I was left wondering if good old Taylor Swift is making fun of herself. Sadly, I don't think this is the case.

Here is a sample of the lyrics:
"cause, like, we hadn't seen each other in a month
when you said you needed space
'what?'"

Final Verdict: cause, like, give this one a miss.

2/5

P!nk-Blow Me (One Last Kiss)

Guys, I love Pink! She's a pop artist who consistently puts out songs that are fun, catchy and simply good listening. Furthermore she's a great role model, she comes across as a woman who won't take crap from anyone, stands by her choices and can laugh at herself. In any case, her new song Blow Me (One Last Kiss) is not a let down and I love the video as well, especially when she dances with herself, she looks beautiful no?

Two Songs for This Week

Okay, I want to talk about two songs that I have been listening to lately.

First Knew You'd Never by Kandle. Certainly this kind of folky, bluesy sound is having a moment right now but Kandle pull it off with ease and no pretense. This song is haunting and eerie but still works as a pop song and I, for one, can't wait to hear more from this artist.
Here's a link to the song (with unofficial video!):

Second is Addicted to You by Shakira. You all know I love Shakira and with good reason, come on, she is so sexy and she is the queen of catchy songs that you find yourself singing and dancing to in the shower. Plus I love her blue nails and jumpsuit in the video.

Conor Oberst and The Mystic Valley Band- One of my Kind

So Conor Oberst is back, I suppose having left his Bright Eyes days behind.  You know what? I'll confess that I have never been a fan of his brand of self-obsessed, don't-want to-get-old, emo/indie music but I decided to give the first single One of My Kind a listen. Apparently there is also a DVD to go along with this album.  

I have to say that there is something very listenable about this song, I might even add it to my current playlist. But there's also something standard about this 'homecoming' song and I can think of a lot of less arrogant artists who did it better. Look at this lyric: 

Well, I got the blueprint

To create my own myth

That's what made it tragic

Like a summer snowdrift

I'm not sure what it is exactly that I don't like about this. There's just something irritating about coming home and claiming that you know what everyone's lives are like. Maybe I am getting old but I'd rather just listen to something catchy then something pretentious about snowdrifts. 

Musical Obsessions-Me Sobren Paraules

Tuesday, 07 February 2012

Good Morning Blog Readers, I haven't been writing much lately, I know. I plan to get back to a normal writing schedule soon but for now I leave you with this song, which I can't stop listening to!

Winter Getaway...at home!

Due to an unseasonably warm winter here in Manitoba which promptly ended last week I have been craving summer. I'm not one to enjoy winter, I can't say I hate it but it certainly isn't something I enjoy. Since I can't afford a winter getaway this year (even though it seems like everyone else is!) I am stowing my cash for a trip down south next year! However, if you are stranded in sub zero temperatures like me, I suggest taking a day and having a Warm weather getaway-at home!

Step 1- Perpare Mojito

So fresh and summery!

What you need (for one Mojito) 

1 oz. Light Rum

Ice cubes

Fresh Mint

1 oz. Fresh Lime or Lime Juice

3 teaspoons sugar

Soda Water

How to make it: 

Place Rum, Mint and Sugar in the bottom of the glass

Muddle the mint 

Add the Lime and Ice cubes

Pour the soda water over the whole thing

Enjoy!

Step 2-Play Some Cheesy Tunes

A couple summers ago I was flying to Europe with friend and we were each watching a different movie on the inflight entertainment system when suddenly both were interrupted by what must be the cheesiest song ever written. The lyrics were more or less along these lines: "the sunflowers love the sun, the look to the sun, what happy sunflowers..." and so on. It took a few minutes before we looked at each other saying "do you hear a weird song about sunflowers?" Anyway, I digress. The point is, no vacation is complete without some cheesy music! Note: I say these songs are cheesy but you know that means I love them!

1.) Me Voy-Julieta Venegas

2.) 24 Horas-David Bisbal

3.) Loca-Shakira

4.)Fuerte-Nelly Furtado 

5.)La Quiero a Morir-Shakira or Jarabe De Palo

Step 3- Laze About with Some Quality Reading Material

I'm currently reading To Hellholes and Back by Chuck Thompson. Yikes, the cover is a bit aggressive but a good real overall! 

If that fails, I suggest tabloids or trashy magazines, only acceptable during holidays!

Step 4-Order Up Some New Warm Weather Wear/Don your Most Summery Clothes and Don't Leave the House! 

Even if you can't wear your purchases for a few more months, you can imagine wearing your summer clothes, shoes.

Step 5-Get A Tan 

Obviously you have to come back from your vacation with a tan! I don't go tanning because I have fair skin and burn so I tend to use those gradual tanners. My favourite is Jergens Natural Glow Foaming Daily Moisturizer for Fair to Medium Skin.

Step 6: Finish the Day off Right

For me, a key part of any vacation is the food! I love cooking and eating and I am not adverse to cooking while on vacay. Cook up something delicious or order something in. Parisian Chic suggests serving up a luxury ice cream  in wine glasses. I love this idea and nothing says summer like delicious ice cream.

Step 7:Repeat if necessary!

Pictures from makeherup.com, myspringshoes.com skyrisefoods.comand supercocktails.com

Amanda Palmer

Wednesday, 09 November 2011

Amanda Palmer is one of my favourite artists, and I have been listening to her for years. Musically, I think she is doing something very unique, and she has her character crafted to perfection.  Her piano driven songs sound incredible but there is something terrifying about them at the same time. I love her irreverence for "things women should talk about in music" and her lyrics, it has to be said, are truly incredible. And, perhaps unlike some fans, she has the sense to know that "non-conformity" is just a tired cliche. She may be "not conforming" but she makes enough references to other artists (The Smiths, The Rolling Stones) and is self deprecating enough (I'm a plagiarist) that you know she is just laughing at her own 'non conformity'. Okay, enough talk. Time to listen!

Astronaut 

The Perfect Fit

Oasis

The Jeep Song

The Kill